Things are going better for women in former war and crisis regions. They are playing a greater role in the reconstruction of their country. Sexual violence remains a problem, although some good developments have been reported. In the Palestinian territories, for example, the United Nations has helped set up centres where women can access know-how, support and training courses.

Jamilah Mahmood of the UN Population Fund (UNFPA) is summarising the organisation's annual report The State of the World Population 2010 which was published around the world on Wednesday. The Netherlands is the UNFPA's biggest donor. This year's report looks at countries attempting to rebuild after wars and the traumas which continue to affect them long after the war has ended.

The report also marks the tenth anniversary of the UN's historic resolution 1325, which calls on governments to prevent sexual violence towards women during armed conflicts and give women a larger role in the reconstruction process.

"In the last ten years we have seen women granted more rights and opportunities. We have also seen a greater role for them in the rebuilding of communities and, increasingly, we have seen the vicious cycle of violence and underdevelopment giving way to social and economic progress."

"In Liberia, for example, we have educated half the government employees about women's rights and violence against women. There is also a special court where women can report cases of sexual violence such as rape."

She emphasizes that women are not helpless victims:
"In war situations they often show how strong and resilient they can be. So they should also play and important role in reconstruction. Moreover, after a war there are often far more women than men. They are in the majority and should contribute to the rebuilding of a peaceful society."

"There's a saying 'it takes a village to raise a child'. By the same token, women are vital to the fabric of a village or community."

Of course, men and boys are also important. "We're talking about whole families and communities which need to rebuild the country together. Men have to be part of the process."